It was a busy morning. I was cleaning the house and doing some baking (note: this was before Lent started!). I had a handyman in, working on the bathroom. My youngest daughter called at lunch to ask if she could have two friends over.

When they got here, the three of them pulled out their cell phones so they could compare ring tones – all at the same time. The hammering from the bathroom was challenged and defeated by the decibels at the kitchen table. Three competing ring tones were analyzed – and modified, and retested – over the pasta. The handyman went out to his truck – ostensibly to eat his lunch, but I suspect he couldn’t hear himself hammering over the symphony in the kitchen.

And then I served these cookies. Phones were set aside, and the kitchen became an oasis of silence, broken only by an occasional guttural sound of gastronomic appreciation.

This recipe comes from the March issue of Bon Appetit magazine. It makes a fairly small batch of cookies (I got fourteen) which is a good thing, because they’re best served on the day they’re made. Four to the handyman and six to the hungry musicians left just four for dinner that night.

Place 1/2 cup chocolate chips in small microwave-safe bowl. Cook in 15-second intervals until chocolate softens; stir until melted and smooth. Cool chocolate to lukewarm, about 10 minutes. Whisk 1/2 cup sugar, cocoa, and cornstarch in small bowl to blend.

These sound delicious--I am always looking for ways to use up extra egg whites! I would have been out the door right behind the handyman. Not just to beg one of his cookies, but also for the silence. I crave it after noisy classrooms. p.s. the buttertarts are from Black Camel, across from Rosedale station. Have a sandwich while you're there. Can't wait for July to have one.:)

What a spectacular sounding and looking cookie Beth. I don't think anyone in the world appreciates silence more than a mom. Do you? Sometimes the kids feel sorry for me when everyone is leaving for the evening or day and all I can think is, "Jackpot!!! Good book, cozy blanket, maybe a little baking and Q-U-I-E-T!"

Isn't it amazing what a little tasty, home-baked food can do? After having our house re-sided last year (horrific banging all day), silence was appreciated by all in our home - especially the pets. Cookies soothed the soul.

I like small quantities in cookies too so they don't get hard. Silence it is a word that has been erased from my dictionary from the moment I gave birth to my son lol. How much I miss those silent days! The cookies look delicious Beth!

Ahhhh...silence! Luckily my home is pretty silent, but sometimes I get surrounded by quite a symphony of phone calls, meetings, and chattering colleagues in the office. Perhaps a batch of these cookies is in order. They look delightfully light and chocolatey!

Oh my goodness! I *just* marked that very recipe page in my March issue of Bon Appetit so that I would remember to make them. We must be on the same wavelength. Except for the whole giving up baking thing for Lent. :)

Sorry I haven't visited in a while. I hope you're doing well. Loved reading your story. You are a patient woman :o) These cookies look delicious. I like that they happen to be gluten free. I take treats to work and some folks can't eat them. These would work for everybody :o)